Month: January 2013

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Life Quotes


I found some quotes online, and thought it be a cool post to have my analysis about them. There are so many quotes but I selected only a few. I really enjoy quotes as well because they not only get the point in only one sentence usually, but they are never that hard to understand in my opinion.  

http://www.flickr.com/photos/89409503@N06/

“A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.” 

– George Bernard Shaw 

My view: This quote is so true in many ways. I’d rather be the person who tries to do something, and fail at it, than not do anything at all. Even if I wind up making mistakes or not accomplishing the task at hand, I have tried. It’s all about how you learn from these mistakes, and turn them into strengths later on. A life spent doing nothing is a mistake in itself.

Citation: George Bernard Shaw. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved January 25, 2013, from BrainyQuote.com Web site: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/g/georgebern102967.html

By Brian Jeffery Beggerly (Flickr: IMG_2083) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”

-Confucius

My view: A simple quote, yet it encompasses over seven billion people’s problems. We all make life harder than in needs to be, and I don’t think there really is a solution to this issue. We’ve let it get to the point, where a complicated life is the norm.

Citation: Confucius. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved January 25, 2013, from BrainyQuote.com Web site: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/c/confucius104563.html 

David Anstiss [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”

-Seneca

My View: This is such a true quote, that really targets the concept of the circle of life. One thing ends, and another begins. It embarks on examples such as grass being eaten by a grasshopper, which gets eaten by a rodent, which gets eaten by a snake, which in turn gets eaten a bird, whom dies, and supplies nutrients for the grass to grow. Even something so complex, which can be separated by time, still can come together. 

Citation: Seneca. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved January 25, 2013, from BrainyQuote.com Web site: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/s/seneca405078.html 

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Math Poem


I found a journal I wrote in middle school, about a year ago in my house. It’s so interesting to see what I wrote, and compare it to how I felt now. I must say, I was kind of proud to see some of the things I wrote back then because maturity wasn’t at a high in those days. Anyways, in that journal I found a Math poem I had to write for a Math class. It was an interesting assignment because it didn’t have to do with numbers, but instead turning math terms into poetry. Now, I wrote this in 6th grade, so bare with the spelling and other errors. There definitely is a good amount, but it’s not that hard to read. Anyways, without further ado…

 

At the Point where are paths intersect

That is when I received respect

Your feeling for me make me feel prime

Life has become rational all the time

You have been a ray of sunshine

and you will always be mine

You are the foundation and base of my being

The length and width the breadth of my love

for you is beyond seeing

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Places I want to Visit: Part II


Well, this is part II to a series of more posts to come. There is a so many places I want to visit, so expect a bunch of these. I did say it would be a weekly series in the Part I post, but I can’t wait that long. So, I already said I wanted to visit Montana’s Glacier National Park, and now my next destination I want to visit is Oregon’s Mount Hood. The pictures below only capture a bit of how beautiful the mountain, and surrounding area really are. Now I’ve never been here, lie most of the places I’ll be listing, but if my fortunes ever change I’d love to travel and visit these places.

Mount Hood, Oregon

By AlexAH (Own work) [CC-BY-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

By Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

By Walter Siegmund (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

By Robert DuVernet (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

By Yaping Wu (w:Wikipedia:Contact us/Photo submission) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

By Aeneas79 (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

 

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What I’d Do with a Million Dollars


What would I do with a million dollars, if of course, I ever do reach that amount. Now, I’m not going to break down the percentages or throw out dollar amounts of how I’d use it. I’m just going to instead, give an idea of where it would be going.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/68751915@N05/

A good amount of it definitely would be going straight into the bank, so that I can further save up. I’ve saved up my entire life, so this wouldn’t be hard, although my bank account would be multiplied significantly. I would love to start up a business, or buy one. I think the best bet with that idea would actually be investing in one of my sister’s, who definitely has the ideas, and tools to start a business. But I wouldn’t put all my marbles in this business idea basket. The one thing I’d love to do is hold some sort of charity, or auction type ordeal to raise money for Breast Cancer. Since my mother passed away from it, I’d love to try and help provide money to help those not suffer the same fate. That’s not me just saying that because almost everything I sell on Ebay, I donate 10% of it to Breast Cancer. So I’m not pulling any legs or trying for sympathy votes, it’s the truth. Although, I may not have much, it’s always a good feeling to help others. 

By Federal Government [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

I would definitely distribute some of money to my family members, that’s for sure. They have done a lot for me, and it would be a great way to pay them back. Also a fully paid off family vacation would be in order, I’m sure that would be a nice added bonus. I’m a family man, so most of what i’d do with the money would probably be centered around them. I would also treat myself to something nice because like I said, I’ve saved up my entire life. I’m not quite sure what that would be though. Definitely not a house or a car, or an expense that much. I already have a nice car, and I’m an A to B type of guy. I don’t need anything luxurious either, my intention wouldn’t be to show off. I mean there is a lot to do with that type of money, and I’d definitely savor it as long as I could. Although it’s not an extensive list of what I’d do, it’s pretty straight forward.

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Million Dollar Quest Idea #4


The idea’s keep piling up, and I thought maybe putting up items on Ebay for ridiculously high prices could possibly work. Again, that just depends if the right person passes by your listing and bids/buys it. This idea is probably a shot in the dark, and very improbable but it doesn’t hurt to try. 

So, I’ve listed some Jersey I found in my closet with tags still. I never wore it, and probably never will, so I thought I’d put it up. I put it up for 1,000 to bid on, and 3,000 to buy it now. Again, it probably won’t sell, but if it somehow does, than awesome. Only time will tell though, just like every idea I’ve put out there.

SELL PLEASE2

Listing Link: Ebay Jersey Listing Link

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Death Story #2


Today marks a year since my grandmother passed away. She was the last of my grandparents and perhaps the death that really tore me apart. She was the glue to the family, and I firmly believe our hearts were powered by hers.

By frank wouters (Flickr) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

My grandmother was the nicest person I’ve ever met in my life, and everyone whom met her says the same thing. I often referred to her as my second mother because she assumed that motherly figure role that helped comfort me when my mother passed away. I can remember her always making me food, even when I wasn’t hungry. I often was picky about how I liked certain foods cooked too, such as my grilled cheese being cooked in a toaster, and not the stove. She remembered every time though!  Cookies and other junk food were always supplied, and she thought she could beef me up, but my metabolism never allowed that. I loved when we played Rummy 500, and I’m so glad the last time we ever played, she won. She went out on top in the game she taught me to love, and I don’t think there was ever a dull moment playing with her. I loved to visit her, and I always stayed later than I should have, just because her presence. I can remember my dad calling me up to tell me to come home soon, but I often told him “just another hour”. I miss her compliments as well, I mean she did call me “Guapo” (handsome in Spanish). She definitely knew how boost your self-esteem, and I can’t remember us ever being angry at each other. It was all smiles with her, and she was so easy-going.

She was blessed with great health for a long time, until she needed surgery on her aortic valve. She made it through that surgery, but it drained her. Often getting shortness of breath, or just having no energy to do much, she more or less was contained to her house. But, she made it out a few times, especially for the holidays. A few years after her surgery, she than began to lose her memory. It was one of the saddest thing I experienced. She would ask you the same question a few times, in only a span of five minutes. But oddly, she would remember stories back in the day, especially how she met her husband. I loved her stories too, and it was probably because anything that had to do in the past was much more interesting than now. I can see her now, in her reclining chair talking to me, with the TV at one-hundred volume. 

Thanksgiving day, not at her house anymore kills me inside often. It was all I knew growing up, and it hasn’t been easy to adjust. She made this amazing gravy, that not one person in the family did not like. It’s soooooo good! Her Swedish meatballs and Macaroni and Cheese was another of my favorites. Those were the good times, and life without her has been so difficult. Every holiday, her not being there, leaves a certain void that can’t be filled. I’m not quite sure how to overcome her death either because it was in comparison to say Martin Luther King Jr. being killed. The impact King had on the black community, was that of my grandmother having on our family. Obviously I’m not implying the magnitude of their accomplishments, but instead the importance they had on others lives.

By Promixluvr (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Perhaps one of the worst weeks of my life was seeing her, hours before she would die. Short breaths, totally inattentive, and could go at any minute. We were all in the room, at her bed, and stayed for as long as we could. The last goodbye to her, and not knowing if she could hear me, was saddening. I remember thanking her for all she did for me, although it was mostly murmuring with all the crying I was doing. She would than pass away that morning, and I can remember not sleeping the entire night just thinking about her. I often have vivid memories of that day, and it’s part of the reason I can’t fall asleep right away some nights. The day of her wake, would also be the first day at my new college. So everything just happened so quick, and it snowed that day too. I believe it was the only day it would snow in the winter of 2012 in New York, which was odd.

My grandmother was an angel, even before her death. I’m happy that I was able to take a few things from her house and implement them into mine. They will be with me forever, and I hope I can pass them on in the future. I’ll never forget her, and I credit her for shaping me as a human being. I often try to mimic her ways, but she was to dam nice too. I’d be lucky to be half of what she was, and I don’t think I’ll ever come across another woman quite as amazing as her. 

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Places I want to Visit: Part I


After going to Vermont for a few days, I started thinking about traveling and visiting other places. Even living in the United States, I’ve yet to even make the slightest progress on some of the places I’d love to see. Outside of the United States is another story because literally there is an over whelming amount of places I want to visit. Here is part one to a weekly series of post I’ll do of places I want to visit starting with Montana’s Glacier National Park. These pictures below capture only a small portion of how beautiful the area actually is. 

Glacier National Park, Montana

Grinnell Glacier at Glacier National Park, Montana, USA taken by en:User:Rmhermen{{GFDL}}

By B D [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

By Mark Wagner (Own work) [CC-BY-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

By Finphish [GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

By National Park Service (From the National Park Service website here) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

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Vermont, Friends, and New Beginnings!


Sorry all, I went away on a magnificent trip to Vermont with amazing friends. I couldn’t have pictured a better time, and Vermont was so beautiful. From the mountains to the snow-covered ponds, the scenery was beyond my imagination. Sometimes, not even words can describe how truly peaceful the area was. I had such a great time, and the trips magnitude definitely was at its peak going with friends. Before actually going on this trip, I was skeptical it would ever come to fruition. I mean, I always have tried to plan things, but sometimes it’s at the wrong times, and it just doesn’t work. I thought this would be more or less the same, but boy was I wrong, and there was an added twist.

Originally it was supposed to be a trip to upstate New York to snowboard for two days, and I only thought it would only be me and my friend. But, something formulated and next thing you know we were going to Vermont for three days, and another friend was on board to come as well. It was probably the best possible thing that could happen, and I’m really glad it did. We had a blast whether it was the long five-hour plus drives in the AM’s, playing the bullshit which is Mario Kart on the Wii, snowboarding or just simply having each other’s company. At least that’s how I felt. Also going to Vermont saved us a lot more money because we stayed at one of my friend’s Aunt’s house. What a wonderful lady she was too. I mean to completely welcome strangers into her home, and let us stay over for three nights was such a nice gesture. It not only saved us a lot of money like I mentioned before, but I’m sure me and my friend can safely say we made a new friend. You too Joe! Vermont overall was great to us, and everyone there is so nice. I even loved the little stores they had, and the bookstore we stopped by at, was great. I’m not a reader by any sorts, I just never got into it, but I found myself grabbing a book, and finding a chair to read for half and hour or so. It must have been the atmosphere or just how nice the bookstore actually was, that made me do that. Every store though, had that cozy atmosphere as well, and it was very comforting. Not something you’d find in New York to be honest. Also, snowboarding at Bromley Mountain was great, and it was nice going on the weekdays because it wasn’t crowded. The people were nice there as well, especially Hugo! For our last run down the mountain we went to the very top, and the view was breathtaking. The ride down was long but so fun, and definitely was worth it!!!

As for the friends I went on the trip with, I couldn’t have gone with a better pair. And while I won’t mention names, I’m sure if they come across this, they know who they are in this story. We all met in college, and in one classroom is where we all hit it off. But before that, I’ll explain to the best of my memory of how I met each of them.

One of them, we really never talked as she was usually sitting in the opposite direction closer to the teacher’s desk. But one day, I believe she was late because I was as well, and that usually meant only a few seats were open up close to the whiteboard in the front. So at the end of class one day, she had asked me if I was an artist. Now, she asked that because I carried around an art box, as well as a sketch pad for my art class afterwards. I had said no, and explained why I had it. I still remember she was easy to talk too, and had mentioned an art gathering around common hour she had gone to where she learned to draw snoopy! She had tried to teach me how easy it actually was to draw snoopy, and had told me other things that go on at common hour. She literally does it all at school, as crazy as it might appear, she definitely takes advantage of every opportunity presented, which I believe is pretty special. Anyways, we had talked some more after that, and soon exchanged numbers. This friend is an amazing human being, as well as an excellent cook (I’ve never eaten so healthy in my life, and I credit her for my experiences with different foods). Her care for friends, wisdom on matters, under the radar jokes, and love for nature make her stand out. She is also a really good snowboarder!

As for my other friend, we had not only had the Philosophy class that we were all in together but another one as well. I believe we first really talked in the Philosophy class though because we sat pretty much next to each other most of the time. And if I remember correctly are first conversation was that of how boring our teacher was in the Rome class we had. Which than turned into talking about video games because she had referenced Assassin’s Creed on the first day of that Rome class. Anyways, that is how I remember us first talking, and we exchanged email addresses in result. Later we exchanged numbers where we would basically assist each other for homework, literally like all of it. This friend is also an excellent human being, and very wise. She is one of the most unbias people I’ve ever met, is a solid shit talker, and definitely cares for her friends as well. She also has some balls, and I feel like I harp on this a lot but it’s true. Despite going snowboarding for the first time, and landing on her ass several times, she got back up and went back at it. The second day, sore and bruised, she still went back up, and seriously that is inspiring. Even though it might appear to be something small, it just shows you that some people just won’t give up, and that’s awesome. I went through the same thing going snowboarding for the first time, and I know exactly how it felt too. It definitely showed me a lot about said person.

I think the day that we really all became friends was one of the best days I ever had. We had homework due, and we all met up, and simply procrastinated. I first experienced the cooking of my friend there, and the amazingness of both as we bullshitted through our assignment, but got to know each other in the process. It was a blast, just like these friends, and just like this trip. When I went to this college, I just wanted to focus on my degree, and not meeting friends. But, thankfully that wasn’t the case because now I have memories, and experiences that I’ll take to my grave just from meeting these two unbelievable friends!

New Beginnings: I vow to find work, and really start taking responsibility for my life. I take for granted my situation, and this trip was an eye opener to do that. If I want to go on more trips, and have more fun, I need to start working to get that opportunity. I know one of my friends wants to go New Zealand, and I’m going to look into that for all three of us to do. I don’t even mind paying for the entire trip, and surprising them. Or possibly going on a long road trip during spring break, where we visit unique wonders in the United States. Either way, I’m sure we would have a great time, and I’d rather do these things sooner because we can leave this earth at any second. All that money we saved up, gone to waste, and it could have been used on building memories and exploring. We don’t do enough exploring in life, and often seclude ourselves to one location. We need to realize the world is bigger than just our home! We have one life, and one ability to live it. So, embark on adventures, and seize the moments that come with them. The meaning of life is whatever you interpret it to be but in the end, it’s always an exploration. An that exploration is only as expanded as you make it, so I suggest to travel whenever you get the opportunity. Your mind will be expanded, your life will be fuller, and you will have stories, and memories to share for a lifetime. 

Before I end this story, I’d just like to mention how much of a great time I had. As I sit here back at my house, there is an odd feeling not waking up where you just were the previous day. The trip went so fast, and sometimes it just sucks it did. I mean this probably was one of the best times I had in my life, and it truly is because of the people I went with. That is why I dedicate this post to them, and I still have to give you your gifts. Thanks guys! Enjoy Below as well, lmao!

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Million Dollar Quest Idea #3


So, I was thinking of another Idea to attribute to my million dollar quest. I think this one can work, and I have a seperate age for it.

The idea was selling digital photo’s for $1. Now, I’m not an expert photographer, so don’t expect great photo’s. I’m only going to put up a few pictures but I’m thinking if I can get 11,000 people to buy my $1 download, I can successfully reach my first goal I have. I’ll display the photo’s below, and you can buy them by clicking on this link that will direct you to my page: Digital Photo’s $1

Anyways here are a few photo’s:

FlowerFlower 2Flower3Flower4

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Death Story #1


In my lifetime, I’ve witnessed more death than I could ever imagine. I have been plagued by it, and I fear for those who have it much worse than me because the feeling is unbearable. In this post I’m going to talk about my first encounter with death, and how I overcame their death with time. Now, It’s not easy speaking about this but it’s life, and everyone goes through these troubling moments.

By Tim Dawson (Flickr: Sad Lucy) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

My first encounter with death was my mother. It happened when I was seven years old, and I can remember the day like it was yesterday. Now, before my mother passed, she was in and out of the hospital for a year or two. I do recall some of the things we did together like dressing up for Halloween or having the mandatory fire and hot cocoa on Christmas Day. But, I can’t say I remember all that much. I was young, and with her in and out of the hospital, it was tough to spend quality time. I can also say I never really acknowledged the severity of her breast cancer, and I never knew that someone could die. But, I found that out the hard way when I came home from school one day, and my entire family was at my house. I thought we were having a party, but soon came to realization it wasn’t when my sisters and I were pulled into a room by my father. I can’t tell you how confused I was that day, but you can only imagine. I asked a dozen questions, until I realized that I’d never see my mother again. I instantly had the worse feeling in my stomach, and combined with tears this was one of the worse days of my life. A few days before she died, she had told me something. I didn’t put it together until after she died but it made sense.  She had told me “I’ll always be in your heart”, and I’ll never forget that. It’s something I will always cherish, and I believe it to be true because I have a strong heart.

Now, overcoming this wasn’t easy. I was depressed for a long time, and it was troubling. But I came to realize that death is a part of life, and we just have to accept reality. As long as we can remember memories, or have pictures, they will never be erased. It’s all about taking in everything they taught you as well, and making sure you carry it out. I certainly have done that to this day and I make sure that I touch every heart I come across, and I try to leave a smile on everyone’s face. I know for sure my mother would just want me to be happy, and live life. That’s what I intend to do, and I would never take that for granted. I would also like to say, cherish every moment you have with a loved one. Never take any moment for granted, and say “I Love you” to them once in awhile. It doesn’t hurt to tell someone that, more than it does to see them in a casket. Sorry to be blunt about that but it’s true. I’ll share more stories of my life, in later posts. Thanks for reading, as always.